Thomas Newcomen

Thomas Newcomen (February 1664-5 August 1729) was an English inventor who invented the Newcomen steam engine in 1712. Newcomen worked as an ironmonger trading tools in a hardware shop, and he was well versed on the problems that Cornish tin miners faced. Newcomen devicded to invent a pump that could remove water from mines to allow for further mining, and he worked with John Calley for 10 years to develop a more effective draining method. His atmospheric steam engine was officially developed in 1712, and atmospheric pressure moved the piston up and down after the steam made a vacuum in the cylinder. His invention would influence James Watt, inventor of his own steam engine.